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So Larry Livermore put out a book about Lookout Records and appearently misrepresents Screeching Weasel based off of info from John “Jughead”. Less than surprising considering that a lot of the scene is hell bent on maligning Ben Weasel.

-Maty Almost

Now for Ben’s posted thoughts on the book.

So, this Lookout Records book that just came out – what a mess. It focuses way more on SW than I’d imagined it would. If I’d known I was living that comfortably and rent-free in Larry’s head I’d’ve done a few things differently.

But the main thing is the factual errors. And not just the author. You’ve got band members who had no idea what was going on discussing business they had nothing to do with and talking dumb shit.

One example: the author asserts that we supposedly had a deal with Lookout to put Homosexual on MBH and reneged on it. Presumably John is his source since he’s the one quoted.

What actually happened was that Larry refused to sign a deal with us so we agreed with Shred of Dignity to do the Pervo-Devo EP well before signing with Lookout – weeks if not months in advance. Larry refused to agree to release MBH till it was about halfway mixed, and only after I gave him an ultimatum when he 1. started insinuating that he wasn’t going to sign us if we didn’t put Science of Myth as the first track and 2. asked me to renege on our deal with SoD and add Homosexual. I said, “sorry pal, I already have a deal with Matt at SoD. He was willing to take a chance on us when you weren’t.” Matt was in the studio doing a photo shoot with me and Bruce LaBruce for the Pervo-Devo sleeve and Larry hectored and berated the shit out of him trying to get him to give the song up, to no avail. By the time he suggested putting the song on both records he’d alienated Matt to the point where Matt wasn’t even willing to do that (and it seemed dumb and cheap to me anyway to put it on both releases, not that Larry was asking my opinion at that point).

And of course John keeps referring to Matt as “Bruce LaBruce.” Maybe all gay guys look the same to him. Anyway, I was no saint back then, but accusing me of reneging on a deal when it was literally the exact opposite of what I did in spite of a lot of pressure – Larry threatened not to sign us and we had a $750 studio bill to pay, not to mention a dead van and no money to fix it and get back to Chicago from California – is a bit much.

Gub, who played on one tour with us and ended up on a long out of print live radio EP is credited with having been an actual member (he wasn’t – he was filling in till we found someone permanent. Nice guy, but he wasn’t in the band) and, remarkably with having played on two tours, and on the Wiggle album. I mean, all you had to do was look at the jacket to know that’s wrong. Come on.

Our first album apparently cost $200 to make. I wish I hadn’t put in all those hours at the warehouse to pay the $1000 studio bill then! And this is something that has been documented publicly. In fact I’m 99% sure it’s on the liner notes of one of our anthologies. Somebody Google it if you give a shit.

That’s off the top of my head, and I’ve only skimmed this thing so far. Look, the author asked me to participate and I declined so I have only myself to blame for not being the voice of reason responding to John’s many fanciful tales of days of yore but stuff like completely blowing an easily verifiable thing like who played on an album – I don’t get that. Then again, I’ve never tried to write a book like this so maybe this is par for the course. I guess I’ll have to write my own book someday.

Let The Games Begin. Let’s Start This Rock And Roll Party!

The Southern California Smash Mouth Local Punk Rock Legend Maty Almost crashed my house for a discussion about his new band ‘Almost Criminal’ and to do a sit down interview with me for my new zine book series coming out called ‘STAMINA.’

Yeah when the long time punker and hardcore historian Maty stops by to ruin your home, your wife and your life as you know it, it meant a few things to me. It meant no sleep for a couple days, playing the U.S. Bombs really loud all night, some song writing, a sit down interview about how great he is, me giving him all my awesome skate clothing, and of course sex stories about all his ex’s, too much drug abuse and excessive amounts of alcohol all made for barrage of ranting and ravings with head bangin punk rock living wasting the nights away to memories money can’t buy. The carnage at my house ended with a tradition, this could only mean one thing, yep, a mission to go street skating and destroy the city streets of Modesto and of course it could only happen at the crack of dawn for a rumble in the Mo-Town Jungle with a crew of you know who. I played guide and picked two spots that where hot and security free. The police tend to leave grey haired skaters and skin head punk rockers alone as long as they can stop by and watch the exhibition of gnar we displayed for any onlooker who wanted to witness what really goes on at that hour in this town. We started the mayhem of the road trip at the Modesto Banks under the Kansas street bridge, which is always the best of times of any trip. We followed that up with a session at the Carver Daycare Ledges where my skate session came to a crashing end to get the photo shots on film. It took me 9 tries and 3 hard hitting dances with the concrete ground to pull this trick. I think my problem is that I have to hit my trick spots at mach 5 speed for some God only knows reason, but mission accomplished and it was time for some breakfast and a refresher of the party flavors at the house. Maty skated like a trooper. I believe you ain’t punk unless you can skate a little and he threw down some stylin moves on his newest stunt wood he chose for the city skate and destroy street crashing mission we got ourselves into. What a day and night we had. More memories added to the years of living a great lifestyle of growing up on 4 wheels and bangin hardcore tunes on guitar, or on the player. I’m truly down for life and Maty you can crash my party any day of the week. Later Much!

Rich Monday

The Modesto Banks. I skated this spot while they were still finishing the front end of the construction site. Gnarly skate spot. Sorry, No BMX & Scooter Riders allowed!

The Carver Ledges and I’ve got my game plan set, so I thought.

Nope, ain’t happening yet grasshopper! The force is with you!

Again, no high fives on what felt like my 40th attempt. Damn I’m fucking old…

That’s it Rich, just slow down and and make a good pop!

Ah, finally, Huston we have made contact. Now just slide the night away.

Fuck this new wax you say everybody uses is slick Fennigan. Don’t argue me damn it, just snap the fucking shot on the E.O.S.